Passion for Fashion

Well, it's that time of year, when your parents, grandparents, and bizarro aunts and uncles will be asking what's on your wish list.  In other words, it's the perfect time to pursue your passion for fashion - right?

I’m as shy as they come, but when it comes to my day-to-day threads, I’m a bold, fearless fashionista. I guess you could classify my look as boho chic laced with a few punked-out accessories. I know, I know—it totally goes against the bespectacled nerd-girl concept, but that’s the brilliant thing about fashion—it expresses the wild child within and makes my gear buzzworthy! (I actually attribute my edgy trend tastes back to my Catholic school days when the required oxford blouse, plaid skirt, and rosary beads forced me to think outside the box.)

Now, the thing about fashion is you really don’t have to break the bank to be swank. Except for the occasional babysitting or tutoring job, I don’t have a big cash stash myself but still manage to throw together clever little ensembles. Sure, I shop at Abercrombie and Gap like the rest of the masses, but I also find a lot of spunky stuff (belts, purses, military jackets, etc.) at the Goodwill and other thrift stores. So yeah— it’s okay to get a little daring—especially when it comes to the trimmings. And yes, you’ll get an occasional eye roll or a mumbled snarl from the SMGs (Supermean Girls), but they’re probably just jealous because you’re rockin’ it and they’re not. After all, no one respects an Aberzombie clone who’s just following the trendies!


How to Rock It Hip Tips:
♥ Accessories rule
♥ Wear a pair of Chucks with a scarf
♥ Layers, layers, layers
♥ Try a low-slung, chunky belt
♥ Enhance any outfit with vintage jewelry and/or dangly chandelier earrings—love that stuffy Victorian bling!
♥ Mix and match colors and patterns—but sparingly
♥ Rock a mini with leggings and flats

Fashion Don’ts
I don’t believe in the fashion police, but there are a few no-no’s everyone should adhere to for the sake of mankind and world peace. In my honest and humble opinion, the following are universal fashion flubs (i.e., not a good look for anyone):

♥ Acid-washed jeans
♥ Ruffles
♥ Heels you can’t walk in
♥ Black lipstick
♥ Yellow
♥ Too-low lowriders
♥ Fishnet
♥ Shoulder pads
♥ Thong peek-a-boos
♥ Hairy legs with skirts or shorts

Remember:
1) Stay clear of sheer
2) If it doesn’t fit, it’s gonna split
3) Too bright ain’t right
4) If you wear it, rock it!


As a bonus, I'm including my Back-to-School Shopping List:

1. Black leggings
2. Platforms in any color
3. Flared denim jeans
4. Black skinny jeans
5. Faux-leather tote
6. Mary Janes
7. Denim vest
8. Burgundy glam-punk blazer
9. Neon pink Chuck Taylors
10. Strategically ripped vintage concert tees
11. Gypsy broom skirt
12. Chandelier and hoop earrings
13. Lace-up combat boots
14. Gold and silver bangles
15. Purple knit beret
16. Black trapeze dress
17. Flannel tunic
18. Granny cardigan

(The trick is to strike a balance between the trends and classics, sprinkled with your own personal touches.)

Scary Sitch: Know your fashion limits and the school dress code policy. Once, during my Catholic school days, I tied my white oxford into a navel-knot halter à la Britney Spears, got five demerits, three Hail Marys, and a lecture from Sister Eugenie on the virtues of modesty. Yikes!

Love,
CeCee

What's With Homeroom???

Lucy: You’ll most likely start your middle school day with homeroom, which is kind of like your home base at school.

CeCee: And, while its official purpose is for the teacher to take attendance and the principal to make school-wide announcements—

Lucy: Most students sleep, talk, or scramble to finish their homework.

CeCee: You probably won’t get a grade in homeroom, but it’s a useful time to organize your day. Usually, announcements are broadcasted on an intercom or television. It may be tempting to tune out or talk to your neighbor, but don’t.

Lucy: Why not?

CeCee: Because you can learn about important school activities like dances, pep rallies, and club tryouts.

Lucy: Thrillage!

CeCee: Homeroom teachers are usually pretty cool because they don’t have to teach or grade papers during that time, so if you have questions, ask them!

Lucy and CeCee: Below are our respective helpful hints (in obvious rank contrast to one another) to help you cruise through homeroom.


Helpful Hint from CeCee: Use homeroom to your advantage by calendaring assignments and looking over anything that’s due that day. Also, it’s an ideal time to ask to use the bathroom and read stall scrawl.

Helpful Hint from Lucy: Use homeroom to catch up on social correspondence or to tweak your action plan for snagging that hottie crush. Also, it’s a great time to ask to use the bathroom and read stall scrawl.

The Sleepover

Lucy: Sleepovers are a great way to bond with your besties.

CeCee: And, there are basically two types—

Lucy: Wild and superwild.

CeCee: We like the latter, but either one can be blastworthy.

Lucy: And, don’t let the name fool you. If it’s a classic, hardly anyone gets any sleep at a sleepover!

Lucy and CeCee: Here is a list of our classic sleepover activities.

L&C’s Classic Sleepover Activities

♥ Freeze the bras of girls who go to bed first 

♥ Have a horror-movie-fest

♥ Give manis/pedis

♥ Give makeovers

♥ Have an old-fashioned pillow fight

♥ Play Truth or Dare

♥ Play “Would You Rather …?” 

♥ Have a foodfest*

♥ Make crank calls 

*Food is a vital part of the sleepover. After all, how will you stay up all night without the proper sustenance? Pizza with the works is an obvious and safe choice. Other yum-o options are tacos, hot dogs, and build-your-own sub sandwiches. Snack food should include popcorn, assorted candies, pretzels, chips ’n’ dip, and the like. Fun dessert ideas are making cupcakes, brownies, or having an ice cream sundae bar. And, don’t forget the next morning. If you’re a hostess with the mostest, you’ll send your besties off with a full stomach. Ask your mom if she doesn’t mind making pancakes or at least buying some sort of doughnuts or pastries.


Beware: If you’re a pranker-cranker, make sure to dial *67 first or call on a private line. We don’t recommend calling your teachers. Boys and extremely annoying people are all fair game—but never be mean! Also, cruel pranks should be avoided. This includes laxatives in the soda, dunking hands in warm water (doesn’t really work anyway), and shaving eyebrows or other body parts. Remember, what happens at a sleepover stays at a sleepover!


Helpful Hint: Don't be too loud. Not only will it irritate your parents, but they could become suspicious and check things out for themselves. Also, don't let your friends be a slob mob! If your besties leave and it looks like a tornado hit, encourage your BFF to stick around and help you clean up. This way, your mom won’t freak and vow never to allow any future sleepovers. Also, be sure to thank your parents for letting you throw your bash. Parents love to be appreciated!

Stuff You’ll Need:

♥ Your six to eight best besties (this is the ideal size; any more and it gets a little crazy)
♥ Lots of junk food
♥ Scary movies (ask before you can get the R-rated kind.)
♥ Sleeping bag/pillow
♥ Barf bag or bowl since someone always overdoes it on the junk food
♥ Makeup and spa materials
♥ Cell phone for crank call and documentation purposes
♥ Extra pillows, blankets
♥ Freezer


***Sleepover parties are cool, but sometimes it’s nice just to hang out with your bestie—which is when you have a bestie sleepover.***

Lucy and CeCee’s Sleepover Agenda

1) Organized Lucy’s Life Science notes as promised (approximate time allotted—seven minutes)
2) Discussed the art of kissing; practiced with pillows
3) Watched Twilight for the millionth time; analyzed pertinent Bella/Edward scenes
4) Painted toes
5) Danced to Black Eyed Peas
6) Made BFF picture frames
7) Picked up phone; listened to Lilly’s convo with Cora
8) Chugged soda; had burping contest
9) Made friendship bracelets
10) Updated BFF scrapbook
11) Feasted on Lacey’s Girl Scout cookies (at least Lucy did); CeCee watched as Lucy lapsed into temporary sugar coma
12) Dialed *67; called Josh Land twice—hung up twice
13) Picked up phone; listened to Lilly’s convo with Carson
14) Spied on Lilly, who journaled listening to John Mayer and then cried
15) Went through school yearbook; commented on entire class
16) Went through school yearbook; commented on entire faculty
17) Dialed *67; called Principal Payne to discuss uniform policy anonymously; hung up when wife answered
18) Perused through Seventeen and CosmoGIRL to take all quizzes; shared answers
19) Played game of “Would You Rather …?”
20) Googled “chest-building exercises” and did them
21) Made popcorn, burned it, threw it away
22) Washed faces, didn’t brush teeth, went to bed …

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How to Survive Gym

Lucy: Gym is the one class CeCee and I have together.

CeCee: Except my gym anxiety is off the charts since I have about as much jock appeal as a stick of celery.

Lucy: Ha-ha-ha-ha! Good one, C.

CeCee: It’s true. I literally have to force myself to participate so I don’t tarnish my GPA.

Lucy: Here we go—the old GPA rears its ugly head again.

CeCee: Anyway, because Lucy is much more athletically inclined than moi, I’m turning this chapter over to her.

Lucy: Thanks, C.—although you’re giving me way too much credit. Okay, it’s not that I’m a muscle-building jockette or anything. It’s just that I don’t mind gym as much as my academic classes. Either way, here are some pointers to get you through the drudgery of Blob Tag and the like:

* Locker room doom. Got the heebies about changing in front of everyone? It seems like a big deal at first, but really, it’s not. Just remember everyone feels weird in his or her underwear. If you’re really sketched out, go to the bathroom and change.

*If you cause your team to get whomped, don’t take it personally if the muscle heads don’t take it well. For some, gym is life and death.

*If you have cramps and your gym teacher is cool, don’t be afraid to tell her. She may give you a pass that day.

*Some gym teachers are sadists and designate certain days for marathons. For example, at Madison Heights, we have Marathon Mondays. If this is your sitch, try to think of something that inspires you while running—like your crush. If possible, listen to some high-octane tune-age on your iPod.

*Make sure to wear good kicks (tennis shoes) for PE. You don’t want to compromise your feet.

*Remember to hydrate. I like to carry a water bottle so I don’t have to drink out of the narsty school fountain.     

*And for everyone’s sake, don’t forget the deodorant!

Try to learn to enjoy gym. At least you get to move around, watch fetch guys show off their (more often than not, nonexistent) muscles, and burn calories all at the same time.               

Gym Must-Haves:

*Workout clothes or school uniform

*At least two pairs of clean gym socks

*One or two pairs of athletic shoes

*Sweatshirt (in case it’s cold)

*Granola bar or something to give you energy

*Deodorant/body spray

*Soap/shampoo/conditioner depending on how much time you’ll have to shower—it varies by school

*Personal hygiene items (just in case)

*A lock

*Bottled water

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What to Read This Summer...

Okay...as you know, I'm not much of a reader.  That's CeCee's terrain.  Even so, I might manage to finish a book or two over the summer.  After all, you can only Facebook so many hours of the day, right?  Anyway, CeCee and I made up this cool list of books.  So, come on tweens - get your read on!!!

LUCY AND CECEE'S
ULTIMATE TWEEN SUMMER READ LIST

1) Coraline - Neil Gaiman

2) The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

3) Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

4) Animal Farm - George Orwell

5) Hoot - Carl Hiaasen

6) Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life - James Patterson

7) The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton

8) The Best of Roald Dahl - Roald Dahl

9) I Know What You Did Last Summer - Lois Duncan

10) The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

11) Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli

12) Holes - Lois Sachar